‘She is a snake – in the most positive way!’ How Taylor Swift became the world’s biggest pop star, again

In 2015, the singer’s career looked shaky as the media and public turned on her. But after the battle for her masters, her intimate lockdown records and the all-conquering Eras tour, she’s reclaimed her crown — and is now immune to hate, writes Shaad D'Souza

Taylor Swift — “She is only in communication with the people that love her, and doesn’t need to care about the people who don’t — because there are just so many people that love her.” Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Last month, Taylor Swift wrapped up the first leg of the Eras tour — a career-spanning, three-hours-plus stadium spectacular that’s proved to be the year’s single most significant pop culture phenomenon, Barbenheimer be damned.

Eras has generated an estimated $5bn boost to consumer spending in the US, forcing cities to ramp up underprepared public transport systems and world leaders to turn into reply guys: Justin Trudeau pleaded with her on Twitter to come to Canada. And fair enough: I saw the final US Eras show in August and found it to be one of the most euphoric concerts I’ve ever seen, a reminder of Swift’s singular generational talent.